New Year’s Crafts for Kids: 20 Fun New Year’s Eve Activities

20 Spectacular New Year’s Crafts for Kids (Easy, Fun, and Festive)

Whether you keep New Year’s Eve low-key at home or you love a full-on family party, celebrating with kids is always more fun when they have something festive to do. These New Year’s crafts and activities are easy to prep, budget-friendly, and perfect for burning energy while everyone waits for the countdown.

I pulled together my favorite kid-friendly New Year’s Eve crafts—noisemakers, printables, games, and even a few “party food” ideas. Pick a few, set up a simple craft station, and you’ll be amazed how smoothly the evening goes.

Quick tip: If midnight is too late for your crew, do a “kid midnight” earlier (8:00 or 9:00 p.m.) with a countdown, confetti poppers, and sparkling cider. Same excitement, way less exhaustion.

1. DIY Confetti Poppers

These confetti poppers will definitely make a bit of a mess—but hey, it’s New Year’s Eve. (Pro tip: pop them over a towel or inside a box for easy cleanup.)

Get the full tutorial from Little Bins for Little Hands.

2. Coloring Party Hats

This is a simple New Year’s art project that’s so easy to prep. Print the free party hat template and let the kids color and decorate.

Get the full tutorial from Tots Schooling.

3. New Year’s Eve Wands

Send a little “magic” into the new year with these fun printable wands. Quick, festive, and easy for a range of ages.

Get the full tutorial from Projects With Kids.

4. Bubble Wands

Designed with toddlers in mind, these bubble wands use pipe cleaners and beads—simple supplies, lots of fun.

Get the full tutorial from Red Ted Art.

5. Countdown Chain

This is one of my favorite New Year’s Eve activities for kids. It includes prompts and mini activities you can do together as the night goes on.

Get the full tutorial from The OT Toolbox.

6. New Year’s Paper Plate Craft

This one is a little more involved, but still totally doable—and it really lets kids get creative with color and sparkle.

Get the full tutorial from Hello Wonderful.

7. Paper Fortune Cookies

Fortune cookies are always fun, and the “new year fortunes” angle is adorable. Make them and hand them out during your family party.

Get the full tutorial from Crayons and Cravings.

8. Photo Booth Props

New Year’s photo tradition + funny props = guaranteed laughs. Kids can make these and customize them for silly pictures.

Get the full tutorial from DIY Candy.

9. New Year’s Eve Glasses

With some basic craft supplies (and old sunglasses), kids can make sparkly “New Year shades” in all kinds of styles.

Get the full tutorial from Handmade Charlotte.

10. Joke Teller

This is part activity, part craft. Print, fold, and let the kids take turns sharing silly New Year’s jokes.

Get the full tutorial from Bren Did.

11. Firework Painting

This is one of the best New Year’s art projects for toddlers and kids because it’s easy to set up and keeps them entertained for a long time. The results always look awesome.

P.S. Check out these other toilet paper roll crafts.

Get the full tutorial from Messy Little Monster.

12. New Year’s Eve Slime

I have yet to meet a kid who doesn’t like slime. This one doubles as a fun “science-y” activity too.

P.S. Check out our tutorial on How to Make Glitter Slime in 5 Simple Steps (no borax).

Get the full tutorial from Little Bins for Little Hands.

13. Party Poppers

These party poppers are similar to the confetti poppers above, but they’re “rip and pop” style—no balloons needed.

Get the full tutorial from Happy Mothering.

14. Handprint Firework

If you love keepsake crafts, this one is a must. It’s such a sweet way to remember how small their hands used to be.

Get the full tutorial from Glued to My Crafts Blog.

15. Noise Maker

Did you know that noisemaking on New Year’s Eve has roots in ancient traditions? It’s been used as a way to “send out the old” and welcome the new.

Read more about New Year’s traditions here: InfoPlease.

Get the full tutorial from Natural Beach Living.

16. Fireworks Ring

Looking for some “bling” for the countdown? These fireworks rings are fun, quick, and adorable for kids to wear.

Get the full tutorial from Fantastic Fun and Learning.

17. Blow Horns

Blow horns are a classic New Year’s Eve noisemaker—and these printable ones are a fun upgrade.

Get the full tutorial from Love the Day.

18. Resolutions Game

Remember Mad Libs? This resolutions game is similar, but New Year’s themed. It’s silly, memorable, and great for a family night.

Get the full tutorial from The Idea Room.

19. Rice Noisemakers

More noisemakers! These are easy to DIY and work like a pair of maracas.

Get the full tutorial from Glued to My Crafts Blog.

20. Mocktails

If you’re doing a kid-friendly New Year’s party, mocktails make it feel extra special (and very “grown up” in the best way).

Get the full tutorial from The Crafting Chicks.

Other New Year’s Eve Crafts for Kids

Want a few more ideas? Here are some bonus favorites that work great for classrooms, playdates, or family parties.

Wishing Wall

This is a sweet way to talk about goals, hopes, and what kids are excited about in the new year.

Get the full tutorial from Buggy and Buddy.

Candy Ball Game

This New Year’s Eve game is a BLAST for kids of all ages. It’s exciting, fast-paced, and feels like a mini party all by itself.

Get the full game details from Kid Friendly Things To Do.

Pretzel Sparklers

These have to be the cutest New Year’s Eve appetizers ever. They’re easy, festive, and kids love helping decorate them.

Get the full tutorial from Eats Amazing.

More New Year’s Eve recipes:

• Snickers Ice Cream Cake
• Quick and Easy Caramel Popcorn
• Homemade Tortilla Chips
• Raspberry Brie Bite
• Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Balloon Drop

The ball drop is iconic—and you can make your own balloon drop at home with inexpensive supplies. Kids go absolutely wild for this.

Get the full tutorial from Miss Mae’s Days.

Mini Party Plan: Keep Kids Busy (and Happy)

• Set up a simple “craft station” with scissors, tape, glue sticks, markers, and a tray for each kid.
• Rotate activities every 20–30 minutes (craft → snack → game → craft) to avoid boredom.
• Do a “kid midnight” earlier with a countdown video, mocktails, and poppers.
• Mess management: Put a towel under confetti crafts, and keep a small vacuum or lint roller nearby.
• Warm snack idea: If you’re serving party food, keep it simple with our New Year’s Eve recipe ideas and let the kids help “build” a snack board.

FAQ: New Year’s Crafts for Kids

What are the easiest New Year’s Eve crafts for toddlers?

For toddlers, stick with crafts that have big pieces and minimal steps, like bubble wands, coloring party hats, or a simple firework painting with adult help.

What if I don’t want a huge mess?

Skip the confetti poppers and choose printables, hats, glasses, wands, or the joke teller. If you do confetti, pop it over a towel or inside a large box for easy cleanup.

Do we have to stay up until midnight?

Not at all. A “kid midnight” earlier in the evening is a lifesaver—count down, toast with mocktails, and do the celebration when everyone is still happy.

What basic supplies should I have ready?

Markers/crayons, scissors, tape, glue sticks, construction paper, pipe cleaners, and a few “sparkly” add-ons like stickers, pom-poms, or glitter glue cover most of these.

Where can I find more kid-friendly crafts on Fabulessly Frugal?

Start here: DIY Crafts for Kids (tons of easy ideas you can use year-round).

Final Thoughts

There you have it—20+ fun New Year’s Eve crafts and activities for kids. Mix a few crafts with a couple games and a “kid midnight” countdown, and you’ll have an easy, memorable celebration at home.

Before you go, be sure to check out these New Year’s Eve Deals if you want cheap party supplies and such. Also, check out our New Year’s Eve Recipes if you need meal ideas for your party!

What’s your favorite way to celebrate New Year’s Eve with kids? Are you going to try any of these New Year’s crafts and ideas? Let us know!

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